The discussion about the topic heated during the National Assembly session on June 7, 2023, when Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat answered deputies’ inquiries.

The discussion began when Le Thanh Van, a National Assembly Deputy from Ca Mau province, raised a question: “What is the explosion point in policy to help Vietnam make a breakthrough in technology development, especially in state management, economic development and national defense?”

In reply, Dat said the most important solution is investment in scientific research and innovation, stressing that investment needs to be made in both resources and policies.

“I have strong confidence in our scientists. If we can make appropriate investment and create favorable conditions, we will be able to promote their scientific research abilities as well as innovation,” Dat said, adding that this is very important for development.

Arguing with Dat, Van said he was unsatisfied with the answer.

“I think, and I believe, many other people also think that the explosion point on using talents, because only talents can change the face of technology in Vietnam,” Van said.

He went on to suggest that the priority is attracting talents in artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, information technology, new material technology, and in healthcare and education.

Dat agreed that human resources are an important factor, revealing that his ministry is going to submit a plan on developing a contingent of intellectuals in the period from now to 2030. He called on National Assembly deputies to contribute their ideas to the plan. 

Nguyen Lan Hieu, a deputy from Binh Dinh, said: “You have said you agree to consider using talents as a part of the science and technology development, but there are difficulties in the implementation of the plan. The question is which solutions will you apply to lure talents to work at your ministry, the Ministry of Science and Technology?”

Do Chi Nghia, a deputy from Phu Yen expressed his agreement with Van and Hieu, saying that the core issue in developing science and technology is talent.

Commenting that the Minister’s answer was still general, Nghia emphasized an important factor – the use of leading scientists in their fields.

“I read in the ministry’s report that the number of science and technology officers has increased, but Vietnam still lacks leading experts. This is not a new problem, but it is a burning issue,” Nghia said.

The lack of experts can be seen clearly when visiting schools and research institutes.

He wondered why Vietnam had excellent scientists and leading experts who made great contribution to the country's development during the wars and the subsidy period, but it doesn’t have such experts now, when current conditions are much better, in a flat world with great opportunities to approach advanced technologies.

“We are afraid that later when we release new resolutions or when we continue to discuss solutions to attract talents, the issue of a lack of leading scientists will be mentioned once again,” he said.

Dat admitted that attracting talents was a matter of his concern from the day he worked for higher education establishments to now when he is a minister. When implementing solutions to attract talents, agencies face difficulties because of contradictory regulations in related laws, including the Law on Civil Servants and Public Employees, and regulations on the financial regime.

Many localities have applied their own policies to attract talents, including from foreign countries. However, in most cases, their plans have failed.

Thu Hang - Tran Thuong - Quang Phong